Folding table assembly



Oct. 19, 1965 A. H. ANDERSON ETAL 3,212,463

FOLDING TABLE ASSEMBLY Filed April 17, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,Ww x J QN.mwN NNW QN. @NL NN WN NW N. mw mm NN .\%N m mm, mw (v Q mw m f. mm, mm.L w S9/N i w@ Mw www wm wm /wm GW .n d

Oct. 19, 1965 A. H. ANDERSON ETAL 3,212,463

FOLDING TABLE ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1965 Oct. 19,1965 A. H. ANDERSON ETAL. 3,212,453

FOLDING TABLE ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 1v, 196s UnitedStates Patent O 3,212,463 FOLDING TABLE ASSEMBLY Arne H. Anderson,Manitowoc, and Joseph E. Wachtel,

Two Rivers, Wis., assignors to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, TwoRivers, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Apr. 17, 1963, Ser. No.273,683 11 Claims. (Cl. 108--113) This invention relates generally toiolding tables, and more particularly to a transversely ioldin-g tableassembly.

l'Ille primary object of this invention is to provide a table .assemblywhich is transversely toldable between open and .closed positions, andIhas novel means tor locking the assembly in the open position.

[t is another object to provide an assembly of the toregoing character,wherein the locking means. automatically engages when the .assembly ismoved to the open position.

Still .another object is to provide an assembly of the toregoingcharacter, wherein means is provided ttor releasing the locking meanstrom either side of the assembly without requiring a person to bend overor stoop to reach the releasing means.

A still further object is to provi-de an assembly of the foregoingcharacter, wherein the locking means is at .a position on the assemblywhere it cannot interfere with individuals using the .assembly or beaccidentally released.

Other objects and .advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction lwith the accompanying iigures of thedrawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational View of a folding table assembly embodyingthe invention .and showing the assembly in its open position;

FIG. 2 is la sectional View of the assembly, taken on the line 2--t2 ofFIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken on the line 6-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG l;

lFIG. 5 is a tragmentary side elevational view showing the assemblyintermediate its open .and closed positions;

FIG. 6 is .a side elevational view showing the assembly .in its closedposition;

FIG. 7 is 1an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 7-7of FIG. y2;

\FIG. 8 is .a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line `8 8 ot FIG.7; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are further enlarged views of a portion of the assembly.

In general, the holding table assembly disclosed herein comprises .aunitary supporting .structure with table top sections removably securedthereto. The unitary supporting structure is arranged to support thetable top sections -i-n horizontal endetoeend relation when the assemblyis in its open position, and the table top sections are substantiallyvertically 'disposed in parallel planes when the assembly is in itsclosed position. 'The supporting structure includes at substantially thecenter of the assembly, two portions which move toward and away fromeach other upon movement of the assembly between its open and closedpositions, and a loc-king mechanism embodying the invention is designedto releasibly lock these two portions together 'when the assembly is inits open position, thereby preventing movement of the assembly to theclosed position.

'llhe locking mechanism comprises a rod secured to one of 4the portionsand a catch mechanism secured to the other of the two portions. Thecatch mechanism is designed to :automatically engage and hold the rodupon movement of the .assembly to its open position. The catch mechanismincludes a release handle which is easily acice cessible :and isarranged upon actuation, to cause the catch mechanism to release the rodso that the assembly may be moved toits closed position.

The unitary supporting structure comprises a pair of elongated aprons towhich the table top sections are removably secured, a pair of end legsupports, ,and a center leg support. Each end leg support is pivotallyconnected to the outer end of one pair of aprons, 'and the center legsupp-ort is pivotally connected to the aprons at their adjacent ends,The center leg support comprises an upper portion which is pivotallyconnected to the aprons yand a lower portion which is slidably connectedto the upper portion. 'Ilh'e upper land lower portions of the center legsupport .are the previously mentioned relatively movable portions towhich the open position locking mechanism is secured. Stretcher bars arelocated below the pairs of aprons .and each 'stretcher bar is pivotal-1yconnected to one end leg support and to the upper portion of the centerleg support. Equalizing means is also provided tor holding the centerleg support in vertical position throughout movement of the assemblybetween its open and closed position, the equalizing means lbeingpivotally connected both to the aprons and to the lower portion of thecenter leg support.

In greater detail, the supporti-ng structure of the folding table,assembly comprises two end leg supports 10, 11 (FIGS. 1, A3, 4 and 5)each comprising a of lfshaped table supporting members 1'2 and two crossbraces i13 .and l14. 'Ilhe table supporting members 1-2 may be securedtogether 'in laterally spaced apart relation to leach other by the crossbraces l13 and 14 las by welding. The cross brace 14 is substantiallyU-shaped and 'its two arms extend angularly outwardly in the generaldirection in the .adjacent corners of the assembly and in side-by-siderelation to the horizontal lower portions of :the Ifshaped tablesupporting member 12. The ends of the members 12 and the cross brace 14receive casters 16 which facilitate movement of the table :assembly onthe oor when the lassembly is closed. The outturned portions of themembers d2 and the outturned :arms of the cross brace 14 place adj-aoentcasters 116 a substantial distance apart to provide greater stabilitywhen the assembly is both open and closed. The upper end of each tablesupporti-ng member 12 is provided with a cap member 17 in the form of anangle.

The supporting structure further comprises a center leg support y'18which comprises .an upper portion 19 (FIG. 2) and a lower portion I20which is movably connected to :the upper portion 19. The lower portion20 comprises a pair of nprights 22 secured together by a lower crossbrace 23, and the upper portion 19 comprises a pair of .tubular slidemembers 24 secured together by an upper cross brace 26. Each of theuprights 22 of the lower portion '20 is disposed within .a slide member24 of the upper portion 119 in telescoping relation. The upper end ofeach of the slide members 24 is rigidly secured to a channel shaped capmember 27, and the lower end ot' each upright 22 is provided with a cup28 preferably made of a material s-uch as plastic, These cups rest onthe floor when lthe assembly is open and restrain unwanted rollingmovement of vthe .assembly because of their im'ctional engagement withthe door. The casters 1.6 of the end leg supports 10 and 11 may also beof the .type having a brake to prevent unwanted rolling movement of .thetable assembly.

Two pairs of table top supporting means are also included in thesupporting structure, the two pairs extending in horizontal end-to-endrelation when the assembly is in the open position and substantiallyvertically when the assembly is in the closed position. Each pair oftable top supporting means comprises two laterally spaced aprons 31 eachhaving an angle cross section. The two aprons of each pair are pivotallyconnected at their outer ends to the upper ends of the table supportingmembers 12 and the cap members 17 of the end leg supports 10 and 11 bypins 32.- The four aprons 31 are also pivotally connected at theiradjacent ends to the caps 27 of the center leg support 18 by pins 33.

The end leg supports 10 and 11 and the center leg support 18 are furtherinterconnected intermediate the sides of the assembly by a pair ofstretcher bars 34 (FIGS. l to The outer end of each stretcher bar 34 ispivotally connected by a pin l36 to a bracket 37 which is rigidlysecured to the cross brace 13 of each end leg support. The bracket 37 oneach cross brace 13 extends substantially horizontally in the directionof the center leg support 18. The inner end of each stretcher bar 34 ispivotally connected to the upper cross brace 26 of the center legsupport 18. For this purpose, two brackets 38 are rigidly secured to thecross brace 26 and are pivotally connected to the stretcher bars 34 bypins 39. The bracket 38 at one side of the assembly is offset laterallyof the table from the other bracket 38 and extends downwardly at anangle so that the inner ends of the stretcher bars cross each other. Thebrackets 37 and 3S are so positioned that the axes of the pins 36 and 39for each stretcher bar 34 substantially deiine a parallelograrn with theaxes of the pins 32 and 33 which pivotally connect the aprons 31 to theend and center leg supports.

The supporting structure further comprises equalizing means to maintainthe center leg support 18 in substantially vertical position throughoutmovement of th-e assembly between the open and closed positions. Forthis purpose, two links 41 (FIGS. l, 4 and 5) are provided, each link 41being connected between the lower portion 20 of the center leg support18 and a pair of the aprons 31. The lower end of each link 41 ispivotally connected by means of a pin 42 (FIGS. 2 and 8) to acylindrical rod retainer 43. The lower end of the retainer 43, whichwill be described in greater detail hereinafter, is secured to the uppersurface of the lower cross brace 23 of the lower portion 28 of thecenter leg support 18. From the cross brace 23, the links 41 extendupwardly and the links 41 slant longitudinally toward the respectiveends of the assembly. The upper end of each link 41 is secured as bywelding to a cross member 44 in the shape of an angle. The two crossmembers 44 extend laterally of the assembly between the pairs of aprons31 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and are pivotal- 1y connected to the aprons 31 bymeans 'of pins 46, a pin 46 being secured to each end of the crossmembers 44 and extending .through a hole formed in the adjacent apron31.

As the assembly is moved from its open position shown in FIG. l, throughan intermediate position, shown in FIG. 5, t-o its closed position,shown in FIG. 6, the upper ends of the links 41 swing downwardly andinwardly relative to the upper rend of the center leg support, and thelower ends of the links 41 move downwardly. This causes .the lowerportion 20 of the center leg support 18 to move downwardly relative tothe upper portion 19 lof this center leg support 18. Further, the links41 maintain the center leg support 18 in vertical position duringopening and `closing movement, and the end leg supports 10 and 11 aresimilarly held in vertical positions due to the connections of thestretcher bars 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, one stretcher bar 34 and one link 41 is positionedon `each side of the longitudinal centerline of the assembly, and, oneach side of the assembly, the stretcher bar 34 and the link 41 extendin opposite directions. By this arrangement, interference between thestretcher bars 34 and the link 41 is prevented during opening andclosing movements.

Counterbalancing means (not shown) may be proon the rod S6 and functionsas a lock nut.

vided if desired for assisting closing movement of the assembly andcounterbalancing the weight of the assembly during opening movement.This means may comprise torsion springs on the pins 33 or coiledcompression springs positioned within the slide members 24 and at thetop of the uprights Z2 of the center leg support 18.

A table top section 47 is removably mounted -on top of each pair ofaprons 31 of the supporting structure by means of screws 48 (FIG. 2)which extend through holes formed in the aprons 31 and are threaded intothe undersurface of the table top sections 47. The adjacent ends of thetable top sections 47 are spaced apart, the space between them,indicated by the numeral 45 (FIGS. l, 4 and 7), being suihcient toprevent a person from pinching his iingers when the assembly is opened.The supporting structure described herein is completely self supportingand operative in and of itself, and does not require the table topsections 47 to hold the parts .thereof together in operative relation.Therefore, a table top section 47 may be easily replaced if damaged.

Mechanism is provided for locking the assembly in the closed position,comprising a latch 51 and an arm 52 (FIGS. l, 5 and 6). The latch 51 ispivotally connected .to the pin 32 which connects one of the aprons 31to a member 12 of an end leg support, and the arm 52 is secured to thelatch 51 and engages the adjacent member 12. The arm 52 holds the latch51 in substantially horizontal position during opening and closingmovements of the assembly, and in position for a hook formed on thelatch 51 to engage .the pin 32 at the opposite end and on the same sideof the assembly when the assembly is in its closed position (FIGS. 4 and6). To this end, the pin 32 which is engaged, extends outwardly a shortdistance from the side of the assembly.

In accordance with the invention, mechanism is also provided for lockingthe upper and lower portions of the center leg support 18 together inorder to hold t-he assembly in its open position. This open positionlocking mechanism comprises the rod retainer 43, to which the equalizinglinks 41 are attached, and a rod 56 which is fastened to the upper endof the retainer 43. To fasten the rod 56 to the retainer 43, the lowerend of the rod 56 is threaded into a tianged nut 57 which is secured asby welding to lthe rod retainer 43, and a second nut 58 is also threadedThe rod 56 extends vertically upward from the retainer 43 and its lengthis such that its upper end i-s above the level of the cross brace 26when the assembly is in its open position. Openings 59 (FIGS. 7 and 8)are formed through the. top and bottom sides of the upper cross brace26, and the rod 56 extends through these openings 59 when the assemblyis open. As the assembly is moved to its closed position, the lowercross brace 23 moves downwardly relative to the upper cross brace 26 andthe rod 56 is vzvthdrawn from the openings 59 in the upper cross brace Acatch mechanism ris secured to the upper cross brace 26 and is Iadaptedto engage and hold the rod 56 when the assembly is open. This 4catchmechanism comprises a generally cylindrical catch housing 61 which issecured as by welding to the surface of the upper cross brace 26 and iscoaxial with the openings 59 and with the rod 56. As is also the casewith the rod retainer 43, the lower end of the catch housing 61 isprovided with a semicircular shape to tit the circular cross brace towhich it is secured.

A circular cap 62, which may be made of a plastic material, ispositioned over the upper end of the catch housing 61.

A generally circular washer 63 (FIGS. 8 vto l0) is loosely mountedwithin the catch housing 61, the washer 63 being mounted by means of atab portion 64 which extends radially outward and then downward. Thetab.

portion 64 extends through an opening 66 in one side of the catchhousing 61, the downwardly extending end of the tab portion 64 being onthe outside of the catch housing 61, so that the washer 63 may pivot onthe bottom edge of the opening 66. A circular hole 67 is formed at thecenter of the washer 63, which is large enough to receive the rod 56. Asclearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the hole 67 is countersunk from bothsides of the washer 63.

The washer 63 is positioned within the catch housing 61 so that it isbelow the upper end of the rod 56 when the table is open, and the washermay be pivoted between a position where the axis of the lhole 67 issubstantially coincident with the axis of the rod 56 and the housing 61,and a position where the axis of the hole 67 is noncoincident with theother two laxes. When they are substantially coincident, the rod 56 maybe inserted into the hole 67 and moved freely of the washer 63 therein,and when they are substantially noncoincident, the margin of the hole 67engages and holds the rod 56 against movement. The upper end of the rod56 is sharpened or beveled somewhat so that it is self guiding into thehole 67, and also into the `openings 59 of the upper cross brace 26, asthe assembly is opened.

A biasing means in the form of a coiled compression spring 68 (FIG. 8)is provided which urges .the portion of the washer 63 within the housing61 downwardly, or counterclockwise, and, consequently, the hole 67 intoa non coaxial relation with the rod 56. The spring 68 is positionedbetween the upper side of the washer 63 and a pin 69 which is secured inthe catch housing 61. When the table is open and the rod 56 extendsthrough the hole 67 'of the washer 63, the spring 68 urges the washer 63in the countercloclcwise direction, as shown in FIG. 8, and causes themargin of the hole 67 to tightly engage the rod 56 and prevent downwardmovement of the rod 56.

To cause the washer 63 to release the rod 56 so that the `assembly maybe moved to its closed position, a release in the form of an L-shapedhand lever 71 is provided. The lever 71 is pivotally fastened to theoutside of the catch housing 61 by means of a pin 72 and two ears 73which are secured in spaced apart relation to .the outside of the catchhousing 61. A hole is formed through the lever 71 generally at its bend,and a pin 72 is rotatably mounted in this Ihole and is secured to theears 73. The lower relatively short arm of the lever 71 extends throughan opening 74 formed in the catch housing 61 between the ears 73, andthe end of this arm of the lever 71 extends underneath the washer 63.The end of the lever 71 within the catch housing 61 is rounded ott sothat it will slide easily on the undersurface of the washer 63. The ears73 and the opening 74 are on the opposite side of the housing 61 fromthe opening 66 for the tab portion 64 of the washer 63, and the end ofthe lever 71 within the housing is adjacent the end of the washer 63opposite the tab portion 64. The lever 71 extends upwardly into thespace 45 between the table top sections 47, and its upper end is belowthe upper surface of the top sections 47 so that it cannot interferewith the use of the table. Further, the lever 71 is made from flat stockand it is twisted through an `angle of 90 adjacent its upper end asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, so that the upper end may be easily pushed orpulled and thereby caused to move laterally of the assembly within thespace 45. Further, the rod S6 and the catch mechanism includ-ing thehand lever 71 are preferably mounted at substantially the longitudinalcenter line of the assembly so that the upper end of the lever 71 may bereached with equal ease from either side of the assembly.

When the assembly is in its closed position (FIG. 6) the two crossbraces 23 and 26 of the center leg support are spaced a relatively largedistance apart and the upper end of the rod 56 is spaced below the uppercross brace 26. Of course, the open position locking mechanism is notoperative in this position of the assembly. When the assembly is movedfrom its closed to its open position, the lower cross brace 23 and therod 56 move upwardly relative to the upper cross brace 26. Anintermediate position of the assembly is shown in dashed lines in FIG.7. Final movement of the assembly to its open position causes the upperend of the rod 56 to pass through the openings 59 in the upper crossbrace 26, into the catch housing 61, and through the hole 67 in thewasher 63. The open position of the assembly is shown in full lines inFIGS. 7 and 8. Before the rod 56 engages the washer 63, the end of thewasher 63 away from the tab portion 64 rests on the end of the lever 71within the catch housing 61 and it is held in this position by the forceof the spring 68. Upward movement of the rod 56 causes the beveled upperend of the rod 56 to engage and push the washer 63 upwardly until theaxis of the rod 56 and the hole 67 are brought sufficiently closetogether for the rod 56 to pass through the hole 67. The force of thespring 68 thereafter holds the margin of the hole 67 in tight engagementwith the rod 56 and prevents downward movement of the rod 56 until thecatch mechanism is released. Such release is accomplished by manuallypivoting the hand lever 71 to the dashed line portion shown in FIG. 8,which movement causes the round end of the lever 71 within the housing61 to move upwardly and force the washer 63 to the position where theaxis of the hole 67 is substantially aligned with the axis of the rod56. In this position, the margin of the hole 67 disengages the rod 56and permits the assembly to be moved toward its closed position.

Once the rod 56 has moved out ofthe hole 67 the hand lever 71 may bereleased, and a torsion spring 76 (FIG. 8) returns the lever 71 to itsoriginal position before it was manually pivoted. The torsion spring 76is wound around the pin 72 `and its ends engage the lever 71 and thecatch housing 61 such as to pivot the lever 71 in the clockwisedirection as seen in FIG. 8. The lower edge of the lever 71 engages thelower edge of the opening 74 in the housing 61, which engagement limitsthe amount of clockwise pivotal movement of the lever 71.

From the foregoing, it is apparent .that a novel and useful openposition locking mechanism for a folding table assembly has beenprovided. The mechanism automatically engages when the assembly is movedto its open position and it may be easily disengaged from either side ofthe assembly for movement to its closed position. Further, the mechanismis in an out-of-the-way posit-ion where it cannot interfere with personsusing the assembly and where it cannot become accidentally disengaged.

I lclaim:

1. A folding table assembly comprising two end leg supports and a centerleg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally connected to saidend leg supports and to said center leg support, said table assemblybeing operable between open and closed positions, and said pai-r oftable top sections being in horizontal end-to-end relation when saidassembly is in said open position and said pair of table top sectionsIbeing substantially vertical and parallel to each other when saidassembly is in said closed position, said center leg support comprisingtwo portions movable relative to each other `as said assembly is movedbetween said open and cl-osed positions, and means for locking saidassembly in said open position, said locking means being mounted on saidcenter leg support at substantially the center of said assembly 4andoperable to releasibly lock said two portions of said center leg supporttogether when said lassembly is in said open position to thereby preventmovement of said assembly to said closed position, and said lockingmeans includes a release means located adjacent the top of saidassembly, each of said two portions of said center leg support includinga cross brace, and said locking mechanism comprising engageable partsrespectively mounted on said cross braces substantially midway betweenthe ends of said cross braces.

2. A foliding table assembly comprising two end leg supports and acenter leg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally connected tosaid end leg supports and to said center leg support, said tableassembly being operable between operi `and closed positions, and saidpair of table top sections being in horizontal end-to-end relation whensaid assembly iis in said open position and said pair of table topsect-ions being substantially vertical and parallel to each other whensaid assembly is in said closed position, said center leg supportcomprising two portions movable relative to each other as said assemblyis moved between said open and closed positions, and means for lockingsaid assembly in said open position, said locking means being mounted onsaid center leg support at substantially the center of said assembly andoperable to releasably lock said two portions of said center leg supporttogether when said assembly is in said open position to thereby preventmovement of said assem-bly to said Closed position, and said lockingmeans includes a release means located adjacent the top of saidassembly, the adjacent ends of said pair of table top sections beingspaced apart, and said release means comprising a hand lever whichextends within said space between said adjacent ends of said .table topsections but below the upper surface of said table top sections.

3. A folding table assembly, comprising two end leg supports and acenter leg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally connected tosaid end leg supports and to said center leg support, said assemblybeing operable between open and closed positions, and said pair of tabletop sections being in horizontal end-to-end relation when said assemblyis in said open position and said pair of table top sections beingsubstantially vertical and parallel to each other when said assembly isin said closed position, said center leg support comprising two portionsmovable relative to each other upon movement of the assembly betweensaid open position and said closed position, and means for locking saidassembly in said open position, said locking means comprising a rodsecured to one of said portions of said center leg support and a catchmechanism secured to the other of said portions of said center legsupport, said catch mechanism engaging and holding said rod when saidassembly is at said operi position, said catch mechanism comprising amember having an openzing formed therethrough, said member beingpivotally mounted and positioned such that said opening is substantiallycoincident with the axis of said rod and said rod extends through saidopening when said assembly is in said open position, the margin of saidopening engaging and holding said rod when the axis of said opening isnoncoincident with lthe axis of said rod, said catch mechanism furthercomprising a hand lever for causing said member to release said rod,said hand lever being operable to engage said member and move saidmember to a position where its axis is substantially coincident with theaxis of said rod, said hand lever being pivotally mounted, and one endof said hand lever engaging and moving said member, when said hand leveris pivoted, to release said rod.

4. A folding table assembly comprising two end leg supports and a centerleg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally connected to saidend and center leg supports, said assembly being operable between openand closed positions, and said table top sections being in horizontalend-to-end relation when said assembly is in said open position and saidtable top sections being substantially vertical and parallel to eachother when said assembly is in said closed position, said center legsupport comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said upperportion being pivotally connected to said table top sections at theiradjacent ends and said lower portion being movably connected to saidupper portion, means pivotally connected to said lower portion of saidcenter leg support and to at least one of said table top sections forcausing said lower portion to move downwardly relative to said upperportion during said closing movement and upwardly relative to said upperportion during said opening movement, and means for locking saidassembly in said open position comprising a rod secured to one of saidupper and lower portions of said center leg support, and a releasablecatch mechanism secured to the other of said upper and lower portions ofsaid center leg support, said catch mechanism being adapted to engageand hold said rod when said assembly is in said open position, a spacebeing provided between the adjacent ends of said table top sections,said lrod being secured to said lower portion of said center leg supportand said catch mechanism being secured to said upper portion of saidcenter leg support, and said catch mechanism including a lever whichextends upwardly into said :space between the adjacent ends of saidtable top sections, said lever being operable to cause said catchmechanism to release said rod upon actuation.

5. A folding table .assembly as in claim 4, wherein said catch mechanismincluding said lever is located substantially along the longitudinalcenter line of said assembly.

6. A folding table assembly comprising two end leg supports and a centerleg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally connected to saidend and center leg supports said assembly being `operable between openand closed positions, and said table top sections being in horizontalend-to-eiid relation when said assembly is in said operi position andsaid t-able top sections being substantially vertical and parallel toeach other when said assembly :is in said 4closed position, said centerleg support comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said upperportion being pivotally connected to said table top sections at theiradjacent ends and said lower portion being movably connected to saidupper portion, means pivotally connected to said lower portion of saidcenter leg support and to at least one of said table top sections forcausing said lower portion to move downwardly relative to said upperportion during said closing movement and upwardly relative to said upperportion during said opening movement, and means for locking saidassembly in said operi position comprising a rod secured to one of saidupper and lower portions of said center leg support, and a releasablecatch mechanism secured to the other of said upper and lower portions ofsaid center leg support, said catch mechanism being adapted to engageand hold said rod when said assembly is in said open position, saidupper and lower portions of said center leg support respectivelyincluding upper and lower cross braces, and further including a retainermember secured to said lower cross brace, said means for causing saidlower'portion to move relative to said upper portion being pivotallyconnected to said retainer member, and said rod being rigidly secured tosaid retainer member.

7. A folding table assembly as in claim 6, wherein said retainer memberis secured to the upper surface of said cross brace, and said rodextends vertically upward from said retainer member.

8. A folding table -assembly comprising two end leg supports and acenter leg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally connected tosaid end and center leg supports, said assembly being operable Ibetweenopen and closed positions, and said table top sections being inhorizontal end-to-end relation when said assembly is in said openposition and said tabletop sections being substantially vertical andparallel to each other when said assembly is .in said closed position,said center leg supportcomprising an upper portion and a lower portion,said upper portion being pivotally connected to said table top sectionsat their adjacent ends and said lower portion being movably connected tosaid upper portion, means pivotally connected to said lower portion ofsaid center leg support and to at least one of said table top sectionsfor causing said lower portion to move downwardly relative to said upperportion during said closing movement and upwardly relative to said upperportion during said opening movement, and means for locking saidassembly in said open position comprising an elongated rod secured toone of said -upper and lower portions of said center leg support, and areleasable catch mechanism secured to the other of said upper land lowerportions of said center leg support, said catch mechanism being adaptedto encircle and hold said rod when said assembly is in said openposition, said upper and lower portions of said center leg supportrespectively including upper and lower cross braces, and said catchmechanism comprising a tubular member secured to said upper cross brace,and a washer mounted within said tubular member, said washer having ahole formed therein and being mounted for pivotal movement between oneposition where the axis of said rod and said opening are noncoincidentand another position where said axes are substantially coincident, themargin of said opening when the rod is inserted therein engaging andholding said rod when said axis are noncoincident and said rod beingfreely movable in an axial direction when said axes are substantiallycoincident.

9. A folding table assembly as in -claim 8, wherein said washer ispivotally mounted by means including an outwardly extending tab formedon said washer, and said tubular member has an opening formed thereinsaid tab extending outwardly through said opening and being seated onthe lower edge of said opening.

10. A folding table assembly as in claim 8, wherein said tubular memberis secured to the upper surface of said upper cross brace, and holes areformed through said upper cross brace substantially coaxially with saidt-ubular member, and said rod is secured to said lower cross brace suchthat it is substantially coaxial with said holes and said tubularmember, said rod extending through said holes and into said opening ofsaid washer when said assembly is in said open position.

11. A folding table assembly as in claim 8, wherein said catch mechanismfurther includes biasing means between said washer and the outer end ofsaid tubular member for urging said washer to a position where said axisof said opening and said rod are noncoincident.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,645,539 7/53Thompson 108-113 2,764,460 9/56 Nelson 108-113 2,766,089 10/56 Nielsen108-113 2,781,525 2/57 Bauer 10S-113 2,811,400 10/57 James 108-'1132,907,598 10/59 Hart 248-355 2,914,135 11/59 Crouch 182-201 2,957,58810/60 Muller 108-113 2,991,139 7/61 Fihe 108-113 2,992,043 7/ 61 Nelson297-159 3,021,921 2/62 Poelvoorde 182-201 3,101,064 8/63 Kanzelberger108-113 FOREIGN PATENTS 221,249 5/ 62 Austria.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

1. A FOLDING TABLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING TWO END LEG SUPPORTS AND A CENTER LEG SUPPORT, A PAIR OF TABLE TOP SECTIONS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID END LEG SUPPORTS AND TO SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT, SAID TABLE ASSEMBLY BEING OPERABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, AND SAID PAIR OF TABLE TOP SECTIONS BEING IN HORIZONTAL END-TO-END RELATION WHEN SAID ASSEMBLY IS IN SAID OPEN POSITION AND SAID PAIR OF TABLE TOP SECTIONS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL AND PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER WHEN SAID ASSEMBLY IS IN SAID CLOSED POSITION, SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT COMPRISING TWO PORTIONS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AS SAID ASSEMBLY IS MOVED BETWEEN SAID OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, AND MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID ASSEMBLY IN SAID OPEN POSITION, SAID LOCKING MEANS BEING 